In 2001 The Soul Lightening Faculty and Dr. Aminah Raheem, the founder, created a specific acupressure formula as a world gift to relieve shock and stress after the events of 9/11. Originally, the acupressure formula was called the Shock Stress Release and was taught virtually anywhere in the world. I learned it along with 10 other teachers on the floor of a yoga studio in Rhinebeck NY. I lived at the Jersey Shore at the time (1 hour from the World Trade Center) and my mentor was in Tivoli N.Y. so I drove the 2 hours to tap in to the acupressure formula that was created specifically to heal from this horrible time in our history and to share it with everyone who was also dealing with this emotional and disturbing time. The work has been shared in war zones, hurricane relief and earthquake zones in many areas of the world.
Name Change
Since 2001 the name of the formula has been changed to The SEVA Stress Release after the Sanskrit word for Service because the purpose of the work is to be of service to anyone anywhere in the world who suffers from stress or shock or simply wants to feel supported and deeply relaxed. Many other possible outcomes may occur by practicing the SEVA Stress Release, including resolution of symptoms or personal growth.
Heart-Centered
The acupressure formula was created from the hearts of the Soul Lightening faculty utilizing the Heart Chakra and Heart Meridians of the body. The Heart Chakra is all about love, compassion, and forgiveness. My experience is that focusing on this area helps to bring a person home to themselves which is crucial in times of shock and very high stress. The SEVA Stress Release utilizes the acupoints along the Heart Meridian which helps to create calm in the body. Creating a state of calm invites a person to settle in to themselves, find their breath and peace in their own body and space.
Training — Anyone Can Learn
This formula may be applied by a person to themself – Self-Care – or from another person – For Others. There is a training program that is 3-hours for the Self-Care portion and an additional 3-hours for the For Others portion. Anyone can do it. It is very easy to learn yet there is a specific touch style that is discovered to administer both the self-care and for others methods. Faculty are empowered to grant continuing education contact hours for massage therapists via NCBTMB (National Massage Therapy Board) and until October with the AHNA (American Holistic Nurses Association).
Used & Studied In Many Settings:
The SEVA Stress Release was used in the first face transplant at Walter Reed Hospital. The formula was taught to the recipient so that he could calm himself during the ordeal of healing from the operation and it was used by the nurses to help keep the patients stress level low and relaxed. (See additional related post below)
Care for the Caregiver Expo, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Gina Rosenthal, PT
Integrative Care Service, University of Maryland Medical Center, Dr John Reed, MD
Breast Cancer Support Group, Naples Community Hospital (NCH), Lisa Ann & Lira Bennet.
Golden Gate Senior Center (Spanish & English), Naples, FL
Cancer Treatment Center, West Virginia University School of Nursing, Kari Sand-Jecklin, RN
Neuropsychiatry & Acute Rehabilitation, University of California UCI Health, Susanlee Wisotzkey, Ph.D, RN
Thiotte Haiti Vulnerable Children Relief (THVCR), Theresa Haag, RN, BSN
Community Service, Emily Wright, Deanna Waggy, Sylvia Goodman, Sue Lovett, Diane Arney, Marilyn Zurwaski, Emily Tellez, Alison Babil, Claire Howell, Susan Popiel, Michele Wade, and all the SEVA Teachers world-wide.
Empowering Whole-Being Health Case Study Collection (A whole third of the book is devoted to SEVA), Cathy Miller & Deanna Waggy
Contact
There are over 60 SEVA Teachers in the world and many more people who have been trained to give SEVA Stress Release Acupressure. Contact Alvina Quatrano with any inquiries at 732-266-5276 or alvinaq@aohmassage.com or find info at www.soullightening.com
Alvina will be teaching the SEVA Stress Release Class on Sunday September 10 from 9 AM – 4 PM at the World Tennis Club, Naples, FL. You can take only the 3-hr Self-Care portion from 9-12 (Lunch Included) or do both sections including an additional 3-hr Part 2: For Others 9-4 (including lunch). Register at www.AOHMassage.com or call Alvina.
Read More…
Below is an original article I published in 2009.
A Way To Relieve Suffering
A Gift From Soul Lightening Int’l
by Alvina Quatrano LMT
September 2001….The World Trade Center had been demolished and many people I knew were at the scene. Everyone in the world was shocked, numb, dumbfounded, grief-stricken. Triages were set up all over to relieve symptoms of shock and stress and grief. Many therapists of all kinds volunteered their time to help the wounded. My regular clients came to me like lost wounded souls and I felt like I needed more to offer. I asked my acupressure mentor to please come up with something. The acupressure teachers of Soul Lightening International led by Aminah Raheem, Ph.D. of Borrego Springs, California got together here on the east coast one day and created a new protocol to serve the world in relieving shock and stress. It is called SEVA. SEVA means service in Sanskrit and was created to relieve suffering and stress and to promote general relaxation. SEVA is a simple acupressure treatment created for anyone to give or receive.
A SEVA treatment can be administered in just a few minutes or can be extended
20-30 minutes, depending on the circumstances. It can be given in a therapists office but was truly designed to be given whenever and wherever it is needed. My friend Missy helped a runner who was down and in shock on the street on a very hot day to revitalize even while EMT’s were standing by. She reconnected his vital energies to come back to the here and now.
Receiving SEVA is a very calming and centering experience. It can relieve post traumatic stress
syndrome. It can provide a turning point for an individual to move toward true healing at the deepest levels.
Clinical Acupressure ( which is an ancient healing modality from China and Asia using finger pressure to acupoints on the body) enhances the free flow of the body’s vital energy, activates it’s own recuperative abilities and diminishes congestion. It can address a multitude of symptoms including back problems, headaches, respiratory, digestive and systemic problems as well as colds, flus, allergies and physical injuries. This treatment modality will facilitate but should not replace, delay or interfere with medical treatment. This work uses the knowledge of ancient traditions combined with contemporary understanding to promote health and self-responsibility for wellness.
I implemented SEVA right away and the results were immediate. I saw the difference in people who received treatment as opposed to those who hadn’t and my heart ached for those who hadn’t sought treatment of any kind. Many divorces happened after 9/11..moving and displacement…many health issues are still happening. After 9/11 most people I know who sought treatment used several modalities to balance themselves as they found necessary; chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, acupressure, yoga, psychotherapy, spiritual guidance, homeopathy, and nutritional counseling and more were sought out to alleviate a myriad of complaints including respiratory, fear, shock, confusion, digestive, muscular, etc. SEVA allowed the unraveling and peace to begin to find a way through from the other side of pandemonium.
I am a certified SEVA instructor and I and my colleagues are teaching SEVA in schools, hospitals, PTA’s, and communities so everyone can know the relief and health building that is possible through acupressure. It has been a terrific addition to the community if someone is so disposed to volunteer it to Women’s or Men’s Shelter’s, VA Departments, and Senior Centers for instance. The protocol is about 20 minutes long. A class runs 3-6 hours. If you would like to learn SEVA or to set up a group demo let me know and it will be arranged. I am available at Art of Holistic Massage (AOHMassage) in Naples FL. 732-266-5276.
Sleep is important. Our bodies are equipped with mechanisms that help us to find the balance between rest and activity. Here in a lecture, meditation video and supporting materials, Alvina Quatrano brings to life the energetic components that are useful to find that balance. Using gentle finger acupressure will help you to balance your body clock to easily find the necessary sleep that may evade you. Relax. Enjoy!!
This class is also available for CE’s from CE Broker in Florida.
Beth Shekinah Terrence, MS, is a Shaman and Transformational Facilitator. At age 11, she found a book on “Foot Reflexology” by Mildred Carter in her grandmother’s bookcase. Wedged between “The Joy of Cooking” by Julia Child and a volume of “The Talmud”, a sacred Jewish text, this random choice awakened her awareness to the concept that we are energetic as well as physical beings. And she began to embrace the idea that as humans we have an innate healing capacity that we can tap into through natural and holistic practices. At age 14, she was introduced to yoga and meditation, and her journey of exploring spiritual traditions and healing modalities from around the globe has been continuing ever since.
Healing & Practices
Beth Shekinah’s personal experience of healing from addiction, trauma, and Fibromyalgia opened to her to embracing a holistic approach to life and well-being. This ultimately led her onto the path as a holistic and wellness practitioner over 26 years ago. At the heart of her work is Shamanism, an ancient spiritual practice that offers a powerful gateway to healing, transformation, and soul-centering. Along with Shamanic Healing, Beth Shekinah utilizes an integrative holistic approach that incorporates holistic, spiritual, and restorative modalities including:
Shamanic Practices such as journeywork, ceremony & ritual, soul retrieval and energy extraction
Bach Flower Remedies
Feeding Your Demons® Process
Meditation & Mindfulness Practices
Energy & Body Therapies including Zero Balancing, Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology, Reiki, and Bodybreath Healing™
PEER™ Emotional Energy Recovery
Holistic Self-Care and Lifestyle Restructuring
Addiction & Mental Health Recovery Coaching and Support
Sessions and programs are offered locally in the Maryland/DC/VA area and virtually via Zoom. Beth Shekinah offers tools and practices to facilitate transformational and healing processes that help to cultivate a deep sense of connection to support restoring wholeness, resilience, and well-being.
Be sure to check out her newest program, the 3-month Virtual Feeding Your Demons® Immersion Experience. And look for her annual love offering, May Is For Metta: 31 Days of Loving-Kindness Meditation, which happens virtually each May.
>>Take Alvina’s Values and The 5-Elements Personality Quiz Several Times a Year to see if it changes in season. Enjoy!!
Note from Alvina: Jean Erlbaum is one of my favorite yoga and meditation teachers. She has been enriching peoples lives her whole life. I’m happy to share her work with you.
TWO NEW CHAIR YOGA SERIES
ONLINE
Jean Erlbaum will be offering a 5-WeekONLINESERIES of CHAIR YOGA CLASSES on Tuesdays, from 11am to 12 noon, November 15, 22, 29, December 6 and 13.
After a short break for the holidays, the class will continue throughout the Winter. Offered on Zoom. You do not need a Zoom account or internet proficiency to join. Each week Jean will send you a link – just a click on that link will bring you into class. If you have questions, any special needs or feel you need support in using Zoom, let Jean know.
Class Cost is $37.50 for 5 weeks. This includes a video of each class that you can play at home whenever you want.
IN-PERSON
Jean will also be teaching IN-PERSON SERIES of CHAIR YOGA CLASSES, sponsored by the Women’s Cultural Alliancestarting in January at the brand new Iser Center, 4630 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL 34109.
The proposed dates for that series are:
Mondays 1 – 2 pm, January 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27.
Jean is waiting to hear if the Center will be ready in time to start Jan. 9. If not by the 9th, it should be ready by Jan. 16. We may have to fine tune the dates as we get closer. Chairs and yoga props provided for the women in this class.
Class Cost is $35.00 for each four week series for WCA members and $45 for each four week series for non-members.
GENTLE PRACTICE
These are great programs for anyone who wants a gentle practice of stretching and centering. Beginners and experienced yogis are welcome. We will do flexibility and strengthening exercises that can alleviate sore joints, tight muscles, and symptoms of arthritis – all done on or next to a chair. The class is suitable for people of all abilities, including those with joint replacement and those in wheelchairs. We will end each class with calming yogic breath and a relaxing meditation.
I hope you can join us at one of these series!
REGISTER
Please register in advance and feel free to call/email with any questions or if you have special needs:
Jean Erlbaum, 8022 Players Cove Drive #202, Naples, FL 34113
(Please note: it often takes a week for mail to reach me here in Florida. So please send your check in time for me to send you a link for the Zoom class.)
SEVA Stress Release Acupressure is a Self-Care Gift to the world from Soul Lightening International and Dr. Aminah Raheem. Anyone can do it to relieve trauma, anxiety, pain, and for almost immediate deep relaxation.
Compassionate Service
SEVA means “compassionate service” in Sanscrit. It is part of Dr. Raheem’s mission to serve using the gift for wellness that she brought to the world.
Founders Day
I’m sharing SEVA in honor of Soul Lightening’s Founders Day December 5 which is Dr. Aminah Raheem’s birthday!
The Good Points Program now offers 25 other protocols for Self-Care. They are being offered once-a-month on the Soul Lightening Teachable Platform. There are also some Holiday Specials on that site too. Check it out!
Good Points Program
The Good Points Program includes:
An Intro Video
A Handout of the Acupressure Protocol
A Pyramid Meditation for centering and grounding.
An Acupoint Location Video
A Practice Video
SEVA Stress Release Gift
Here are the elements of your SEVA Stress Release Good Points Program: Enjoy!!
Introduction VIDEO (29 min, includes Pyramid Meditation & Chakra Tai Chi) Password = 4U
You may also find Soul Lightening Foundation Certificate classes (Clinical Acupressure 1 and Process Acupressure 1A) on the course calendar. Offered are 3 certification tracks for Clinical Acupressure, Process Acupressure and Advanced Soul Lightening Acupressure.
I teach many different classes from 1 hour to 30 hours, in-person and webinar.
The most recent is the newly updatedIntroduction to Soul Lightening Acupressure which includes Part 1 Self-Care and Part 2 For Others. It is a 2-Day class, preferably in person to experience the special “Interface” Touch of SLIA. 12 Continuing Education Hours.
